Should you use your miles
or pay cash?
Stop guessing. Our calculator compares the true cost of redeeming miles vs. paying cash — adjusted for fare class, elite status, credit card earning, and more.
How It Works
Enter your numbers
Cash price, miles required, and award taxes. Select your airline program and fare class.
We crunch the math
We factor in miles earned on cash, fare class perks, elite bonuses, and credit card earning rates.
Get a clear verdict
See whether to use miles or pay cash, with a full breakdown of how we calculated it.
FAQ
How do you calculate the value of miles?
We use industry-standard cents-per-point (CPP) benchmarks for each airline program. A higher CPP means your miles are delivering more value.
Does it account for miles I'd earn on a cash purchase?
Yes. We factor in airline miles earned from the cash fare, credit card points, and elite status bonuses to give you the true effective cost of paying cash.
Is this free to use?
Completely free. We may recommend relevant credit cards, but the calculator itself has no cost or signup required.